It was the next day and we were on our way to see Pete, the man Claire had told us about, when a car hit us.

I got hurt.

And I’m not talking something moderate which my body could heal within a few minutes, I’m talking something that’ll take hours, something that would’ve killed me had I been human.

I lay on the pavement, coughing up blood as everything moved in slow motion. I watched Jack literally rip the car door in two so he could get out before running to me. I tried to talk and tell him I was fine but I just ended up coughing up more blood as my eyes caught the metal bar protruding from my side.

“WHO DID THIS!” He screamed, jumping up.

I tried to grab him and pull him back down closer to me but that just resulted in my fingers twitching slightly.

---

My eyes scanned the wreckage. I could see the other person’s car but they were no where to be found. I growled and turned back to Alex. One look at him, and I vowed to find whoever did this and make them pay. The metal bar sticking out of his side caused blood to seep through his clothing. There was a crowd gathering and I knew I had to get him away before he started healing. I rushed over to him again and very carefully picked him up.

“Jack.” He whimpered in a horse voice.
“Shh baby, don’t talk.” I murmured.
“Hurts.” He whimpered despite what I’d said.
“I know sweetness, I know it does.” I hummed, quickly carrying him away from everyone and hurrying down the relatively empty street.

This is all my fault. I promised him I’d protect him.

“Ja-ck.” He let out a quiet sob.
“I know baby I know, we’re almost there okay? Just hold on for a few more minutes you’ll be alright.”

I practically ran through the lobby and to our room and literally the second I crossed the threshold of our room, Alex let out a whine signaling his body had started healing.

I gently lay him down on the bed and put a hand on his cheek.

“Okay baby I’m going to take this out of your side. It’ll hurt but I promise you’ll be okay.” I said softly.

He whimpered but he nodded. I took his hand in one and gripped the metal with the other and I slowly pulled. He cried out, squeezing my hand causing a pang of guilt to pierce my heart but he relaxed once it was removed. I tossed it to the side and left him for a moment to grab a cool wash cloth.

This would be rough for him. Even though he’d healed from trivial wounds before, like broken bones or cuts, this was a mortal wound. Meaning it would hurt like a bitch.

I heard him cry out again and I ran back to his side.

“I’m here lex, I’m right here.” I soothed, pressing it to his head,
“H-how? Wh-what happened?” He groaned.
“Someone hit us.” I found myself growling.
“Wh-who?” He whispered.
“I don’t know but mark my words, I’ll find out.”

He nodded slightly before screaming and arching his back. I let the wave of pain pass, holding his hand and kissing his fingers all while mentally punishing myself for letting this happen.

Once the wave passed, I stood up and ripped his shirt apart so that I could remove it without making him sit up because frankly judging by the wound in his side, that wasn’t happening.

I pressed the cloth to his forehead, dabbing up the sweat, dirt, and blood. I watched his chest heave a few times before the burning came again. He whined and bit down on the pillow.

“It hurts.” He nearly sobbed.
“I know baby I know.” I cried, kissing his forehead and stroking his thumb with mine.

My heart broke to see him like this. I would’ve done anything, so long as I could’ve taken this for him and that it could’ve been me who’d gotten hurt.

---

Five horrible hours later and he finally stopped screaming.

His body relaxed into the mattress and I noticed the wound was no more. I gently wiped the area clean of blood and got up to get rid of the rag and bowl.

“Wait.” Alex’s raspy voice broke the silence.
“What? Is it coming again?” I asked.
“No no. It’s your shoulder.” He said.

I looked over to my right shoulder and sure enough, it was soaked in blood. My blood. That’s when I noticed the stinging.

“Oh shit.” I murmured, carefully removing my shirt.

It wasn’t nearly as bad as Alex’s injury had been, but I still had a gash that was about three inches long and at least an inch deep.

“Y-you have to.” He said getting up but he didn’t finish his sentence as he stumbled into the bathroom.
I sighed following him.
“Alex I can do th-“
“No. You took care of me, I’m gonna take care of you.” He said, shaking his head and getting a washcloth.
“But we’ve been through this. Remember back at the house when my shadow touched you and you taped up my hand?” He asked.
“Yeah because you had to make yourself bleed. All that and yet you still keep getting yourself into trouble. You should work on that.” He mumbled, pressing the cool fabric to my shoulder.

I let out a quiet laugh and just let him do his thing but I noticed how he wouldn't stand on his own, how he always leaned against something or held onto something. I knew he was more weak than he let on.

Alex was satisfied once my shoulder was all bandaged and everything. So I picked him up and carried him to bed.

“I can walk you know.” He hummed in a quiet voice.
“No you can’t.” I scoffed, laying next to him.
“Are you okay? Does you shoulder hurt?” He sleepily asked, his eyes closed.
“I’m fine. Go to sleep Lex.” I said, stroking his arm.

He hummed and his head went slack, falling asleep that quickly.

I smiled at the sleeping boy before me, knowing I didn’t deserve this view. I didn’t deserve to have someone care this much about me. I didn’t know how someone like me ever got the honor of having him in my life but I was glad I did. I brought my arms around him, holding him close.

I went to sleep unknowing that someone at that very second, was planning to take him away from me.

Notes

title cred: Slowtown - Twenty One Pilots


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